The Indianapolis Colts passing attack hasn’t had many encouraging outings over the last month or so, but some of that could change Sunday when they travel to Raymond James Stadium to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Facing a Buccaneers defense that is allowing the second-most receiving yards per game to opposing offenses (303.2), the Colts wide receivers could find success in real football and in fantasy football.
Outside of running back Marlon Mack, there haven’t been any consistent fantasy producers from the Colts in 2019. Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton has dealt with injuries, tight end Eric Ebron was non-existent compared to his 2018 season and quarterback Jacoby Brissett hasn’t thrown for multiple touchdowns since Week 7.
As the fantasy football playoffs approach, mitigating risk should be avoided where it can. But not all teams in the postseason can play it safe. Sometimes upside is needed and there’s a duo of Colts wide receivers that could find some success against the Buccaneers poor passing defense.
As it stands now, Hilton likely isn’t going to play Sunday. There are concerns he might not even return this season with four games remaining. This leaves Zach Pascal as the WR1 in Week 14.
Pascal has enjoyed a quasi breakout in 2019. He’s stepped up into bigger roles as the season has progressed and even has a pair of 100-yard games under his belt. So the upside for him to have a big game is certainly there, but his floor is a goose egg like he did in Week 12 against the Texans.
Still, Pascal is beloved by the coaching staff and should see a healthy dose of targets against the Bucs. The game script is also likely to be in the favor of a passing game given Tampa Bay’s strength in stopping the run and their ability to score on the offensive side of the ball. He has also seen at least six targets in four of the last five games.
With Pascal sitting as a flex-worthy option with WR2 upside in fantasy, there is another name that could be intriguing to fantasy managers looking for upside. However, there is some major risk involved as well.
Rookie wide receiver Parris Campbell has a chance to return to game action this week and could be heavily involved in the passing game. Having missed the last four games with a fractured hand, Campbell practiced in full to begin the week.
The speedy second-round pick has gotten two starts this season (Weeks 4 and 9). In those two games, Campbell was heavily involved. He saw eight targets against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 and had eight touches during the Week 9 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Colts love Campbell and have been extremely high on him since drafting him with the No. 49 overall pick. He is a perfect fit for the offense they want to run and would likely benefit from Brissett’s lack of desire to push the ball downfield.
Campbell certainly brings more risk than Pascal—who should be viewed as the WR1 in the offense in Week 14. The rookie has been spotty for most of the season and the passing offense has left much to be desired, but the matchup is there and the Colts are desperate for wide receiver production.
With four games remaining and their season likely over, developing Campbell should be a top priority.
Sometimes the fantasy football playoffs call for a bold move. In a pinch, Pascal and Campbell could pay off big time as the Colts travel to Tampa in Week 14.